Landscape Photography in Khutzeymateen British Columbia

Mornings in the Khutzeymateen Inlet in northern British Columbia are mesmerizing – so breathtaking that you feel you might still be asleep.

Waking in my ship’s cabin, I immediately began to feel the anticipation of the coming day when I would get the chance to see and photograph grizzly bears.

But as soon as I climbed the polished wooden ladder to the main deck of the ship I was awe struck by the impressive scenery. The fog laid low on the water, gently wrapping her fingers around the old-growth forest.

In the quietude, we boarded the zodiac and puttered into the estuary, the mother ship slowly disappearing into the morning mist, while the lightest of rain fell.

I took this time to get to know the place, to watch and listen, and imagine what it must be like to waken here every day. While the main purpose of the trip was photographing the bears, I spent these mornings making landscape images too.

This is the kind of place that gets into your soul. Between the trusting nature of the grizzlies here, the glassy water reflecting the dense forest, the mysterious morning mist, and the quiet serenity, it’s a place that makes you feel it’s importance.

I made all of these images with my Canon7D and the 24-105 lens, hand-held (since we were in a moving boat).

Yeah, because of good planning and years of experience 🙂 I don’t think I’ve seen any good photographs that weren’t made at the right place at the right time! That’s the key. Thanks for your comments Daniel.

My after supper plans were blown apart by the opening of your grizzly blog, I was transfixed, Awesome photos, and what a way to get them too. How I’d love to do that trip, just the sail boat part would be something to relish,

I’m hoping to have a grizzly experience too, in early September, by means of an all day boat trip to Bute Inlet from Campbell River. It won’t offer the same opportunities as your Zodiac trips but I can only hope something good will come from it.

I note that you used a Canon 100-400L lens, the original or the Mk2 I wonder? I’ve just bought a 4 year old original version for my planned Canada trip from the UK, to use with my Canon 80D. I’ve been trying it with a 1.4 converter but with this combination sharp images of even static objects are as rare as hens teeth.

Hi Donald, Thanks for your kind comments! Always happy to ruin after dinner plans with good photos 🙂 I haven’t been on that trip to Bute myself, but the whale watchers at the marina I am at go all the time and they see bears quite often. It’s a gorgeous trip up there. I have been almost as far on my own boat, but it’s at the limit of my range for the fuel I carry. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it and hope you come home with some great photos too.

The 100-400 I rented last year was the version 2. I have used the version 1 as well, but it was years ago, so I can’t really compare them. However, I got good photos with the version 1 lens. I’m not a big fan of the 1.4 converter though. But it’s probably just me, because lots of people use it and rave about it. I just find it awkward to take it on and off and I didn’t get good results with it. But I think you’ll be fine with the 100-400 without the converter.

Don’t forget you’ll need to use a very fast shutter speed both because of the focal length of the lens, the fact that you are hand-holding it, and because you’ll be on a moving boat. I would go 1/1,000 second at a minimum if it looks like the bear isn’t moving. If it’s moving, then even faster. Have a great trip!

So besotted with the grizzly’s the landscapes didn’t get a mention: I loved them too. During my brief opportunities I’ve made many unsuccessful attempts to get images of the forests that would, to my mind, convey a convincing impression of their primeval nature. Your final image does that for me. Hope the knee recovers soon so that you can get back to giving us more visual delights.

Many thanks Donald. I like that last photo in the post too because, while the other photos are more moody, I think that one conveys the peace that you feel in the coastal forest.

My knees are doing better thank you! It’s a long process though. I’ve been doing the physiotherapy for a year now and they are almost back to pre-injured state, but not quite. I still tape them if I’m going for a long hike or out on the boat. But it’s getting there!

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I’m Anne. This is my new life.

I traded in a traditional career for a new life as an outdoor photographer and writer. I live in an RV and travel around North America photographing beautiful places. I write about travel, photography, and how changing your life is not as scary as it seems. Read More…

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